Kevin Godley: 'I don't own my dog, I love him'

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We think we share a deep connection with our pets – but do our attempts to read their minds actually say more about ourselves? To test the theory, Weekend invites proud owners to take our version of the famous Proust personality questionnaire on behalf of their beloved animals. This week, video director, and former member of 10cc, Kevin Godley, and his Jack Russell/Westie cross, The Rogue

Why the name The Rogue?

My wife, Sue, names all our animals (she's far more imaginative than me) and her best ones are like characters from a Nancy Mitford novel. The Rogue sounds like a scruffy ruffian with a twinkle in his eye. Spot on.

How did you meet?

We met via a local Irish website called Done Deal: he was advertised by a lovely old couple from Baltinglass in Wicklow. We arranged to meet them one evening outside a little hotel in Glendalough. It was like doing a drug deal, but with fur.

Have you always been a dog person?

No. We were cat people for many years until our first dog, Swampy, a stray barrel-chested mongrel, squeezed himself through our cat flap and moved in: lock, stock and barrel chest.

Kevin Godley and The Rogue

What are The Rogue's defining characteristics?

He's a supremely intelligent Jack Russell/Westie/Brillo pad cross with an impressive understanding of the English language. There's an almost telepathic communication between us, particularly when it comes to second-guessing the everchanging mimes we use to indicate a forthcoming walk.

He's also been known to read our minds on the same subject. A subtly raised eyebrow or tilted head can send him thundering to his lead drawer. He's also good at sports, his favourite being football or, in his case, noseball. He can accurately nod a ball back to me from 12ft away, an extraordinary 20 times in a row. I often fantasise about signing him to Chelsea.

What's his sense of humour?

He must have a chewy stick every night, but waits until the exact moment I drop off to sleep before asking for it with an apologetic woof… a very loud apologetic woof.

He enjoys dancing around the kitchen with us, but it's not "proper" without a toy in his mouth. All told, he's more Darwin than Dali.

His speciality is knocking on doors with his paw. Three sharp taps and you'd swear it was a person, which can be embarrassing if we have guests who've just gone to the loo.

Funniest thing he's ever done?

When he was two years old, Sue bought him some squeaky toys for Christmas and hid them in her workroom. A couple of weeks later we were decorating the tree when he walked over, looked at us, looked at the tree, ran to Sue's workroom and started hammering on the door. Subtext: "It's Christmas! I know my presents are in here. Can I have them now, please?"

His power of association, reasoning and recall was pretty impressive considering that he had only experienced Christmas once before. I wish I was that smart.

Kevin Godley and 10ccCredit:
Rex

The most surprising thing about him?

That he's not actually human.

Who is his best friend?

Me and Daphne (our latest dog) and a soft toy called Brian the Lion, but if dog love can be measured in multiple disembowellings then Brian comes top of the list.

What do you have in common?

Fur.

His favourite spot in the house?

Wherever I am. If I'm writing he'll offer criticism, silent support and the occasional nose nudge to remind me time's getting on and there are more important things to think about… namely him.

My dog fits effortlessly into my life

Kevin Godley

If I start singing loudly and off-key, he'll bolt for Sue as the slightest deviation from perfect tuning offends his sensibilities.

His perfect day?

A walk on the beach, a play-fight with Daphne, as many treats as he can eat, some lion-disembowelling and having his tummy tickled.

A bit like me, really. Minus the disembowelling.

Kevin Godley

What does owning The Rogue say about you?

I don't own him, I love him - and we are totally on the same wavelength.

Any ways in which you're different?

He eats chicken and Sue and I are vegetarians. Other than that, the human/dog thing is a constantly blurring line.